UPDATE July 22, 2018, Kent Police on Sunday afternoon identified the deceased Officer as Diego Moreno:
Early Sunday morning (July 22), Kent Police Officer Diego Moreno was killed when another deputy’s car struck him during a pursuit near Reith Rd and Kent Des Moines Rd.
Police say that at around 1:50 a.m., Officers responded to a report of an illegal discharge in the area of Russell Rd S. and W. Meeker Street. At the time of the 911 call, there was an Officer in the area who heard the gunshots. That same Officer witnessed a red truck fleeing the parking lot, as witnesses on location indicated that the same fleeing vehicle may be involved.
Preliminary information is that Officers were in pursuit, while Spike Strips were deployed near Reith Rd and Kent Des Moines Rd. One Kent Officer was struck and the pursuing Officer was involved in a collision. The suspect vehicle continued east on Kent Des Moines Rd. where it crashed near Washington Ave.
Lifesaving efforts were immediately given to the struck Officer; however, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The other Officer was stabilized and transported to Harborview, where he remains in critical condition.
Washington State Patrol is assisting with the accident investigation, while the Valley Investigation Team is conducting the criminal investigation.
Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the initial illegal discharge or the accident, to please call the Kent Police Department tip line at (253) 856-5808.
Sadness in our hearts today as we grieve the loss of one of our officers killed in the line of duty early this morning. More updates to come as we have them. Please keep the officer’s family and friends in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/MI53JeyoiH
— Kent Police (@kentpd) July 22, 2018
Heartbreaking news out of @kentpd. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and Officers of Kent PD.
— KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) July 22, 2018
Words are not enough to describe the sorrow we feel for our brothers and sisters @kentpd. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers involved and their families. SO
— Des Moines Police, WA (@DesMoinesPolice) July 22, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of the the @kentpd officer killed in the line of duty last night. pic.twitter.com/LfGr6uBRTP
— Tukwila Police (@TukwilaPD) July 22, 2018
My heart goes out to all of the Kent officers and their families, not just now, but all the year. Having lived in Kent the past 10+ years until very recently, and still spending a fair amount of time there, I’ve personally seen the efforts the KPD has been making in connecting with people – including those they’ve been called out to check on. No one is perfect and everyone has a bad day, but being a police officer is no walk in the park. For every time an officer gets to donate a bicycle to a child, there are hundreds of traffic stops and domestic violence calls and drunk driver’s and (sadly) mentally ill persons not being cared for that they have to deal with everyday. Thank you all for your service, and that includes the loved ones -family & friends- who kiss you goodbye everyday before work. I can only imagine the fears they have to overcome on a daily basis.
We met Officer Moreno while he was working as an instructor at Little Gym that my grandson was attending. What a fine young man. This is heartbreaking news to my family. This young man ALWAYS had a smile on his face – he brought joy to everyone he met and dealt with. We are at a loss of how to express our grief. He had endless kindness and goodness in his soul.
As a Coug and former Kent Resident, I want to express my deepest sympathies to Officer Moreno’s family and fellow officers!
GO COUGS!!!